Amukela Game Lodge

Amukela Game Lodge is located in the Balule Private Nature Reserve which is incorporated in the Greater Kruger Park. The lodge is only 20 minutes from Hoedspruit and it offers an African bush experience with affordable rates.

Amukela offers four African-style rondawels, accommodating a maximum of eight guests. Each rondawel has a king-size bed with a mosquito net and air-conditioning. Each en-suite bathroom has a toilet, shower and basin. On request, we can make extra beds for children. Breakfast is served in the main building where you will also find the lounge. They have satellite TV with DStv as well as magazines and books.

There is a lovely view of the bush from the terrace and the swimming pool. In the evening, enjoy the boma dinners, weather dependent, under the breathtaking stars. Sit around the campfire and listen to the voices of Africa.

There are a lot of interesting places to visit for a full day or just a couple of hours. This makes the lodge a great place to stay for several days or even weeks. Whether you want to go on your own or do an organized trip, they can assist where possible.

Greet a new day in the bush together with an armed and qualified nature guide. Explore the fascinating nature in Africa by foot at an easy-going pace. Learn about animal tracks and behaviour, trees and bushes with medicinal properties and much more. Take a game drive in an open jeep to search for the animals, accompanied by an experienced field guide. Pre-bookings for activities are essential.

Engela

HANS MERENSKY NATURE RESERVE

Bounded by the Letaba River to the north, the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve covers 5 300 ha of mainly mopane and red bush willow woodland and scrub. The reserve was named in honour of the pioneering South African geologist, Hans Merensky, who donated a water hole to the reserve. The son of missionary Alexander Merensky, the younger Merensky’s prospecting skills were instrumental in the opening of several mines.

Among these were Phalaborwa, the Rustenburg platinum mines and the Alexander Bay diamond fields. The reserve has been stocked with a variety of game, but on account of the dense vegetation the animals can be difficult to spot. Hippo and crocodile inhabit the Letaba River; waterbuck are never far from the river, while giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, impala, bushbuck and Burchell’s zebra are among the species to be seen in the woodlands.

The visitor centre has displays on various aspects of the reserve, and there is an interpretive trail, two nature walks and an easy but delightful three-day overnight trail for visitors who prefer to explore the reserve on foot. The reserve’s checklist of about 280 birds include species such as tambourine dove, green pigeon, several kingfishers, white throated robin and orange breasted bush shrike. For many birders on South African holidays, however, a particular highlight is ticking Arnot’s chat, a species which in South Africa is restricted to mopane woodland.

My Beautiful World